LVMH's Arnault Family Moves to Cement Control With Ownership Overhaul — Update

By Andrea Figueras

The Arnault family set out a plan to simplify the structure of the companies that hold LVMH in a move designed to secure the clan's long-term control over the luxury-goods giant.

Under the plan, two holding companies controlled by the family of LVMH boss Bernard Arnault will be merged into another holding, Christian Dior SE, which will be delisted from the Paris stock exchange.

Following completion of the restructuring, control of LVMH will be exercised within a single company, Christian Dior said Wednesday.

The overhaul is "in accordance with the Arnault family group's intention to ensure the continuity of its control over LVMH," the company said. The Arnault family currently controls around half of the share capital and the majority of the voting rights in Paris-based LVMH, the owner of heavyweight fashion labels Louis Vuitton and Dior, jewelers Tiffany and Bulgari and cognac distiller Hennessy, alongside a host of other luxury brands.

Arnault, who is among the world's richest men thanks to his family's stake in one of Europe's most valuable companies by market capitalization, has long worked to consolidate control of LVMH, where he serves as chief executive and chairman. His five children hold various senior positions within the group and its brands, though Arnault's ultimate succession plans remain unknown and a subject of lively interest.

The strategy involves merging Agache and Financiere Agache, two holding companies which together hold 96% of Christian Dior. Agache would then be absorbed by Christian Dior, which would itself be converted into a limited joint-stock partnership and renamed Agache SCA.

The creation of the new controlling entity comprises a public tender offer for the shares of Christian Dior that the Arnault family doesn't own. The stake represents 2.44% of the capital and is valued at around 1.62 billion euros ($1.84 billion) based on Thursday's prices.

The transactions are scheduled for December, while the opening of the offer period for Christian Dior is expected to take place in the first months of next year.

Write to Andrea Figueras at andrea.figueras@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 24, 2026 06:00 ET (10:00 GMT)